’Hill challenge too steep for United to climb

Division One

THE game started well enough for United. Gaining a corner with five minutes gone, then winning a quick second corner, United put pressure on the home defence.

Both Kevin Watts and Gary McClymont caused Hill keeper Calder to save efforts from them. The game was pretty even up until 20 minutes. United gained a free kick on their left flank. Thomson slipped the ball infield to Brown who mis-kicked and gave the ball away.

The home side took advantage of this slip up, broke upfield, the ball was passed to left winger Slack who promptly shot past United keeper Dave Buchanan to put his side 1-0 ahead.

From now on the home side took control and although United worked hard the home side kept them in check. United’s closest effort came in the 44th minute when a Watts effort went narrowly past the post.

United knew they had to lift their game in the second half and in the opening minutes, efforts by Watts and Thomson were easily dealt with by home keeper Calder.

Bellshill put the game beyond United when Slack headed home a free kick after Thomson fouled Hill attacker.

United then brought on new signing Liam Marsh for Andy Dearie on right side of defence.

Young Watts had another shot on the 64th minute go wide, and then replaced James Brown with Phil Barclay. Bellshill played out the rest of the game well in control although the United lads tried hard to get back into the game. However, the United midfield just didn’t click and with no ammunition striker Gary McClymont had no real chances, although young Watts ran his heart out to no avail. Now second bottom of the division the fight is on for points, to get up and out of this area.

This Saturday it’s a trip down to the Ayrshire south west to meet third placed Girvan on league business; kick off 2pm.

Bellshill Athletic: Calder, McGhee, McAyliff, Smith, Bennet, Carway, Crozier, Flynn, Connelly, Selkirk, Slack. Subs: Cavanagh, Dollan, Hall, Brady, Malloy, McKenna, Donnelly.

Cumbernauld United: Buchanan, Hayman, Morrison, Marsh, Dearie, McPhee, Allan, Thomson, Watts, McClymont, Brown. Subs: Gibson, Jarvis, McNally, Mushet, Barclay, Renwick, McLaughlin.